Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

 What do you long for during a blistering summer when you go swimming at the pool or sunbathing at the beach? Hotties with bikinis? Chinese middle-aged women, or dama, can tell you that bikinis are already out of fashion, as their "facekini" has been featured in fashion bible the CR Fashion Book. A rubber face mask covering all but the wearer's nose and mouth, which is horrifyingly reminding people of a gimp mask, was originally used by these dama who love swimming but hate tanning. But now, it has become one of the oddest trends the Western fashion industry has picked up on. It probably signals that Chinese dama have finally veered away from boorishness, and started to lead the trend. Considering the creativity of this group, god knows what will come next from them.